by Jessica Dietrich, Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy and Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist
Welcome to 2026! Our team is rested and ready to tackle hunger and food policy in the new year. If you’re new to Capitol Insider, we share updates on news and policy changes at the state, federal, and administrative levels that touch on hunger and food insecurity. Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter to receive monthly updates on hunger policy.
We’re also excited to announce that we’ve added a new member to the HFO policy team! Lindsay Cuomo will serve as our Strategic Advocacy Engagement Manager to support strategic policy communications, partner engagement, and much more.
State Updates
January 15 was the bill filing deadline for all legislation that will be eligible to be heard in the 2026 OK State Legislative Session. The first day of session will commence on Monday, February 2. Listed below are key dates and deadlines to be aware of ahead of session:
- 2/2 First day of session
- 2/16 President’s Day (Legislature typically in session).
- 3/5 Deadline for Bills to be Reported from Committee (Senate)
- 3/26 Deadline for 3rd Reading and Passage from Chamber of Origin (House and Senate)
- 4/23 Deadline for House Bills to be Reported from Committee (Senate)
- 5/7 Deadline for 3rd Reading and Passage from Opposite Chamber (House and Senate)
- 5/29 Sine Die Adjournment of Session
As of the writing of this newsletter, the bill filing deadline has yet to pass. Below we have included a non-complete list of hunger and food policy related legislation. Our team will provide a comprehensive list in February’s edition of Capitol Insider.
- HB 2984 by Rep. Gise: Directs OKDHS to request a waiver to restrict Oklahoma SNAP users’ EBT to only be used in Oklahoma.
- HB 3032 by Rep. Lowe: Requires all school districts to provide and require the completion of a form for free or reduced-price meals upon enrollment and re-enrollment.
- SB 1253 by Sen. Bergstrom: Adjusts standards for eligibility under the SNAP program (specifically work requirements) to match related federal guidelines.
- SB 1299 by Sen. Bergstrom: Directs OKDHS to request waiver for additional SNAP purchasing restrictions.
- SB 1310 by Sen. Bergstrom: Links OKDHS executive compensation to SNAP payment error rates, restricts offsetting pay increases, establishes employee incentive fund.
- SB 1373 by Sen. Reinhardt: Creates no cost meals for all students and includes minimum meal quality and lunch time standards.
- SB 1374 by Sen. Reinhardt: Creates a state-funded incentive for eligible schools to participate in Community Eligibility Provision and provide meals at no cost to all students.
Have questions or concerns about any of the above legislation? Send an email to Bailey.Ashbaker@HungerFreeOK.org.
Federal Updates
Congress is working toward finalizing the FFY 26 budget. Farm Bill drafting has begun among the House Agriculture Committee. The committee is also looking to include additional farm aid in funding bills due at the end of this month.
The National Governors Association along with a group of state and local governments are asking for a two-year delay in SNAP changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act as well as other considerations based on the effects of the government shutdown. Read the full press release here.
The momentum behind delaying the SNAP cost share continues; Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) introduced a bill that would delay the cost shift for states by four years and delay the increased admin match by two years.
As a reminder, it’s an election year! Visit the Oklahoma Voter Portal to register to vote or check your registration, view election dates, and find your polling place. This year in Oklahoma, both the Republican and Democrat primaries are closed, which means voters will only be able to vote in the primary elections of the party they’re registered with. Independent voters will not be able to vote in the Republican or Democrat primaries or runoff primaries.
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